I guys, I'm cleaning up my rear axle, and in the continuum spirit of "while I'm at it..." What should I tackle while I have easy access? I'm replacing oil seals and gaskets, and cleaning and painting the housing and diff exterior, and I'm planning to redo the rear drums too.

Without knowing the history, I'm working under the assumption that everything is original (and therefore 47 yrs old), what else should I go ahead and replace? Should I need new bearings? What is serviceable (by me) in the diff that might need a look at?

Yeah I was looking at both POR-15 and Eastwood Rust Encapsulator. I wound up ion with RE. Seems like POR works better, but if you don't get the surface completely clean with their prep products, it doesn't work. I actually just put my second coat of re on the housing and spring perches. I'll let you know how it turns out!

I guys, I'm cleaning up my rear axle, and in the continuum spirit of "while I'm at it..." What should I tackle while I have easy access? I'm replacing oil seals and gaskets, and cleaning and painting the housing and diff exterior, and I'm planning to redo the rear drums too.

Without knowing the history, I'm working under the assumption that everything is original (and therefore 47 yrs old), what else should I go ahead and replace? Should I need new bearings? What is serviceable (by me) in the diff that might need a look at?

Thanks in advance!

If it where me I would just replace everything. Wheel bearings pull the pumpkin apart and take the ring and pinons out make sure you keep the shims in the correct place as you take it apart to give you a good starting place when putting it together. The idea is while you are there and have it out in front of you it is easy to get to things and replace them. I have a 68 and will be exactly this in the spring.

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1968 Coupe <53000 miles on her 289 came off the line Jan 21st 1968. I bought it in 1983

2013 Shelby GT500 Born 12/06/2012 number 439 of 530 in DIB and 1 of 9 with Red Stripes over the top and on the seats

If it where me I would just replace everything. Wheel bearings pull the pumpkin apart and take the ring and pinons out make sure you keep the shims in the correct place as you take it apart to give you a good starting place when putting it together. The idea is while you are there and have it out in front of you it is easy to get to things and replace them. I have a 68 and will be exactly this in the spring.

Bearings yes - I'd be concerned with digging too far into the pumpkin and not getting it back together and adjusted correctly. Is there an easyish way to tell if it needs service. There are no obvious issues (at least with my novice eye), but how can I tell if anything is worn beyond service?

This is the problem with my "while I'm at it" mentality. This all started with a leaf spring replacement - I'm going to end up restoring the whole car before I know it.

Okay, I've been doing some research and it seems like my gears are actually in pretty good shape, and there isn't any play where there shouldn't be. So I'm going to check the backlash, and check the contact pattern. If things look nominal, I'm going to call it good and move on.

There is no way the axle bearings are original. They feel like new bearings and have no slop in them, I'm guessing they were replaced at some point, so I'm calling those good too.

So barring anything really surprising/confusing, I think the next step is my rear drum rebuild. Thanks!

Okay, I've been doing some research and it seems like my gears are actually in pretty good shape, and there isn't any play where there shouldn't be. So I'm going to check the backlash, and check the contact pattern. If things look nominal, I'm going to call it good and move on. There is no way the axle bearings are original. They feel like new bearings and have no slop in them, I'm guessing they were replaced at some point, so I'm calling those good too. So barring anything really surprising/confusing, I think the next step is my rear drum rebuild. Thanks!

Yep, YouTube (and forums like this) are my savior! I've done tons of disk brakes before, but this will be my first drum adventure. I'll be painting the backing plates at the same time I do the diff. And a might as well continue right on to the floorboards while the paint is out.

So lots of wire wheeling is in my future and I'm taking your advice on a full face shield, but I'm pretty excited for the end result!